Outreach to fallen away catholics

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I was just elected to the parish council and along with my efforts to bring reverence back to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, I definitely want to start some sort of outreach program for fallen away catholics and new catholics. The problem is I don’t know where to start. I did mention it at the meeting tonight, but only because they asked the obligatory question to all newcomers, “why do you want to join the council?”

I don’t have any experience in this matter, and I doubt anyone else in the parish does.

Please help me out, or at least tell me where I might find the answers I’m looking for. Thanks.
 
most publishers and programs for RCIA include specific guidelines and methods to reach out to returning Catholics, ask the person in your parish in charge of RCIA, and also investigate if the diocese has an ongoing program for this purpose, perhaps you can take training to lead it in your parish.
 
I would suggest this program. catholicsreturninghome.org/. I am on the Evangelization Committee at my parish. We have done this program 3 times now. We had a gentleman who was away from the Catholic Church for over 40 years. He returned and is now helping out in the program. All of the returnees have become active members of the parish.👍
 
Try this web site. It’s a parish web site. The deacon is using a program called “Catholics Come Home.” I know nothing about it but there is the link

//www.lasalette.catholic.org/Catholics%20Come%20Home.htm

Matthew
 
First, pray.

Second, pray.

Third, pray.

Then…in my case, I spent 30-plus years in the evangelical Protestant world (raised Catholic). I know the mindset, the theological issues, and the answers. Some of my wife’s family, evangelical Protestant, are a bit bewildered by my return. I have had to defend some of our doctrines from Scripture. I always go with Scripture because they will accept nothing else.

I also venture out onto other online Forums, evangelical Protestant, and debate theological issues.

And then, in my neighborhood here in NYC, I know a few pastors since I was starting to train to become a minister and did a little preaching (at Salvation Army and a Lutheran congregation). I still see them and have had to defend our beliefs that differ with theirs, always from Scripture.

And then, there is a local Methodist congregation that has a weekly Bible study/faith sharing group. I attended before my return and stayed, when I wasn’t busy in my own parish. I have shared my return to the Church with them, and have to speak out sometimes but I am very aware that this is not my church and they have a right to their beliefs. But there are a lot of Catholics there.

I have fellowship with two other Catholic men who were also away from the Church for many years. One was converted outside the Church like me, and the other was converted through AA and the Cursillo movement. We all have the same desire…to bring Catholics back to Jesus in His Church.

I hope this helps a bit. If you feel called to speak with Catholics who have become Protestants, you will have to bulk up on apologetics and Scripture. For me, it was no problem because I always spent a lot of time reading systematically through the Bible, reading books, listening to sermons and radio shows. And I also started to take some pre-seminary courses in hermeneutics, preaching, etc.

Peace,
Gene
 
jacobaer said:
First, pray.

Second, pray.

Third, pray.

Then…in my case, I spent 30-plus years in the evangelical Protestant world (raised Catholic). I know the mindset, the theological issues, and the answers. Some of my wife’s family, evangelical Protestant, are a bit bewildered by my return. I have had to defend some of our doctrines from Scripture. I always go with Scripture because they will accept nothing else.

I also venture out onto other online Forums, evangelical Protestant, and debate theological issues.

And then, in my neighborhood here in NYC, I know a few pastors since I was starting to train to become a minister and did a little preaching (at Salvation Army and a Lutheran congregation). I still see them and have had to defend our beliefs that differ with theirs, always from Scripture.

And then, there is a local Methodist congregation that has a weekly Bible study/faith sharing group. I attended before my return and stayed, when I wasn’t busy in my own parish. I have shared my return to the Church with them, and have to speak out sometimes but I am very aware that this is not my church and they have a right to their beliefs. But there are a lot of Catholics there.

I have fellowship with two other Catholic men who were also away from the Church for many years. One was converted outside the Church like me, and the other was converted through AA and the Cursillo movement. We all have the same desire…to bring Catholics back to Jesus in His Church.

I hope this helps a bit. If you feel called to speak with Catholics who have become Protestants, you will have to bulk up on apologetics and Scripture. For me, it was no problem because I always spent a lot of time reading systematically through the Bible, reading books, listening to sermons and radio shows. And I also started to take some pre-seminary courses in hermeneutics, preaching, etc.

Peace,
Gene
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I agree with you on the approach to evangelise fallen away Catholics who have joined Protestant churches. However, there are also many fallen away Catholics who do not attend any church. A program would need to have a means to address these individuals also. For example, one of the persons who returned to the Catholic Church after attending the Catholics Returning Home program in my parish had not attended any church for 40 years due to a disagreement with a priest. His issues were addressed, and he is now an active member of my parish.
 
I really enjoyed reading the post from Gene; thank you for sharing your experience, strength and hope with us on this topic!

I understand that Landings - which has been suggested - is a fabulous program for those considering coming home to the Church.

I would also suggest taking advantage of the speaker’s bureau here at CA.
 
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